Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw joins Matt to discuss the Memorial Day box office disaster and its impact on future film releases. They debate studios releasing fewer movies and make a prediction about Warner Bros. Discovery's NBA broadcasting rights.
The Memorial Day box office weekend showcased a significant decline in revenue, sparking concerns about the future of movie releases.
The NBA rights negotiation process involving Disney, Comcast, and Amazon reveals strategic shifts in media partnerships and potential exclusions for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Deep dives
Box Office Woes and Memorial Day Weekend Results
The Memorial Day Weekend revealed a bleak box office scenario, with the total weekend gross in North America reaching only $125 million, down 40% from the previous year. 'Furiosa,' a Warner Bros. movie, significantly underperformed, making just $31 million over the four-day weekend, while facing high production and marketing costs. This marked the worst Memorial Day weekend result for the top movie in 43 years, indicating a drastic decline in box office performance.
Challenges of Franchise Films and Impact on Summer Releases
The podcast highlights the struggles faced by franchise films and their profitability amid shifting consumer preferences. The discussion delves into 'Max Max: Fury Road' and its troubled production history, contrasting its critical success with the financial risks of its upcoming prequel, 'Furiosa.' The episode questions the viability of continuing to greenlight uncertain franchise films given the changing landscape of the movie industry and the importance of strategic and guaranteed hit selections.
NBA Rights Auction Controversy and Pending Deals
Insights into the NBA rights auction reveal a complex negotiation process involving Disney, Comcast, and Amazon. While Disney is set to secure the A package and Comcast the B package, the status of the C package with Amazon remains uncertain. Contrary to expectations, Warner Bros. Discovery faces exclusion from the NBA's key partnerships, potentially leading to a legal battle or settlement to resolve matching rights discrepancies. The podcast underscores the strategic shifts in media partnerships and the impactful decisions shaping the future of sports broadcasting.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the terrible Memorial Day box office weekend (02:36). They discuss the potential fallout from the disastrous weekend and the repercussions of May’s disappointing box office results, as well as debate whether studios will look to release fewer movies. Then, Matt finishes off the show with a prediction about Warner Bros. Discovery's NBA broadcasting rights (25:24).
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